Unissued USAREUR CVC Helmet

[Guy56]

An unissued Maury-made U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) combat vehicle crewman’s CVC) helmet. The USAREUR CVC helmets were made by German companies, usually Maury or Römer, for USAREUR armored vehicle crews to supplement or replace WW2-era Rawlings pattern tank crew helmets (AKA M1938 tanker helmet) until the fielding of the T56-6 CVC helmet. So they were likely issued in the 1950s to early 1960s. This example came unissued and without a purchase order number. It also came with a switch box, microphone with a mount that snaps to the helmet and a cord. Most USAREUR CVC helmets were in U.S. sizes, but you’ll see some with metric sizes. The metric size models were likely from helmets made when the Bundeswehr was evaluating the helmet (the Bundeswehr was formed 12 November 1955). Most also have a purchase order number in the helmet’s interior. 

[Guy56]

Here is an image of tankers wearing a mix of USAREUR CVC helmets and T56-6 helmets, the markings from a Römer-made USAREUR CVC helmet, and one with a metric size. 

[Windraider]

Hello,

 

helmets with metric sizing are for the Belgian Army. This helmet model was introduced there as the M1964. 

Only a small number were used for testing purposes in the West German army and the BGS. These were of US size.

 

Here is a manufacturer's logo from Maury, dating from 1957, PO 1780 (Purchase order)

[Guy56]

Please pardon the slow response. We were on vacation in Norway and the British Isles. We just got home today.
 

Thank you for the update and the excellent photo. The only information I had on this helmet until you commented, came from Zentner’s Deutsche Militärhelme, 1895-1975 (German edition).  Do you have any sources or photos concerning its use by the Belgian Army? 

[Windraider]

Hello,

 

Hello, Yes, there is some information about this to be found on the web. It appears that, in addition to Belgium, the helmet was also introduced in the Netherlands as the M64.

The main difference was the head size in centimeters rather than inches.

 

https://dutchhelmets.nl/nl/helmen-hoofddeksels/tankhelmen-tank#Tankhelm-m64

 

https://imgur.com/gallery/usaeuro-tanker-helmet-m1938s-retro-futuristic-west-german-cousin-Rbn3vew 

 

https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/helmets/post-war-m38-tanker-helmet-help-695813/ 

 

https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/bundeswehr-forum/west-german-usaeuro-tanker-helmet-619128/ 

 

https://www.checkpoint-militaria.com/en_GB/a-92996258/helmets/tank-helmet-m64/?srsltid=AfmBOoqWDzmB8qR_Wttj8MW4kLoIvIC6KPnUwCBgx3vSgxdN8C0Z5Laa#description 

 

Given the head size in centimeters, it is more than likely a Belgian or Dutch M64.

These helmets—sized in inches—were primarily used by US troops, as well as in small numbers by the West German BGS and on a trial basis by the West German Bundeswehr.

 

Regards

[Guy56]

Cool stuff. Even though I’ll be focusing on U.S. use, addressing other users is important as well. I’ll be looking very closely at photos of Belgian and Dutch armor crewmen. Please let me know if you find anything. Thanks very much!

[Guy56]

I have done some searches and found good video showing Dutch troops, but all, examples appear to have solid domes, and some appear metallic, but no examples with the small vent holes yet. I attached some examples. Because of our shifting focus, I recommend that we shift to messaging on this topic for anything not focusing on the USAREUR helmet fielded by soldiers in U.S. Army units.